Application Deadline Approaching

[Hummer]

I applied for cow elk, buck deer, buck pronghorn and cow moose. I'll pick up OTC bull elk and bear licenses when they go on sale Aug. 8th.

I procrastinated applying until the last day. I'm not very happy with the new rules which require the purchase of a "qualifying license" that I didn't need or want to buy, and almost a bad, the CPW website didn't make it easy to buy qualifying licenses by failing to provide quick links. In the past the Habitat Stamp was the required qualifier. Seniors don't have to purchase the Habitat Stamp and since there are more of us every day they had to stick us somehow. I understand their budget problems but I think that approach is very wrong.

Just as bad is charging $50 to acquire a preference point for moose, sheep and goat tags when you don't draw. I get the point creep problem but if I had had to pay $50 for every point toward my 2018 bull moose license, after 19 years of applying it would have cost $950 just for the gamble of living long enough to be awarded a license. Another friend waited 32 years and he took a moose at age 79. It would be fairer to simply raise all license fees to the necessary level to make up for the previous years inflation when they didn't raise license costs in a timely fashion.

With the $50 charge just to get a PP, I decided to give up on the Bighorn Sheep draw as it's unlikely I'll live long enough to draw and hunt them. I can do it now but imagine climbing high elevation peaks in my late eighties to mid nineties with a pack and rifle. Even Irving will be too old to help me pack sheep meat.

[Irving]

I applied for all three, but I agree. I'm wondering if I'll have greater chance at drawing this year. I have one family member that has been boycotting hunting in Colorado since before I even started hunting.

[Hummer]

I applied for all three, but I agree. I'm wondering if I'll have greater chance at drawing this year. I have one family member that has been boycotting hunting in Colorado since before I even started hunting.

You might have a greater chance of drawing. There's also the new program that opens 20% of tags in certain GMUs that require lots of points, to go to applicants with at least 5 points. I entered one of those for elk.

As far as boycotting hunting, that's a loser's game. IMO, people who do that don't really want to hunt. It's too hard or too much bother.

I haven't missed a big game season in 36 years, and wish I had started earlier. I love and live in the woods. I'll hunt to the very end if I can.

[Irving]

I agree on the too hard part, at least with respect to if you feel that 's too onerous to hunt in Colorado as a resident, I don't see you hunting in any other state. I know my family member doesn't.

[jslo]

Lost my nephew, from Ohio, for an elk hunt. An extra 85 to 155 for a "qualifying" license he wouldn't use sent him looking elsewhere.

[Irving]

That's what I was trying to explain to my wife. Some people who live here only hunt one thing. Most people who come here only hunt one thing, they aren't going to want to waste the money on a license they won't use.

[Little Dutch]

Not everyone I know can even afford the $100+ price point just to successfully draw a single big game tag. It pushed them out totally.

I decided to pay to play again this year, but for a single species. The price hike actually resulted in less money flowing from me to the CPW. I may be in the minority on that.

[Irving]

I paid for points for sheep and mountain goat, but I think I'll stop putting in for those.

[jslo]

I just started applying for moose and sheep tags last year. Unless they change their $50 point fees, I'll take my 1 point to my grave with me.

[Firehaus]

Qualifying license is definitely wrong, but I always get one anyway so I can hunt grouse while I elk hunt.


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